What are Ireland playing for?
Seeding for Euro 2024 qualification and possibly, maybe, ideally a playoff for direct qualification to Germany.
What’s happening?
The Republic of Ireland begins the manager’s stated hunt for silverware in the Nations League (League B Group 1) with a sticky trip to Yerevan, despite growing internal tensions in Armenia over peace treaty negotiations with Azerbaijan.
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Is it serious?
Daily demonstrations in Yerevan have ended in violence and arrests. FAI head of security Joe McGlue is already on the ground.
Tensions in the Caucasus are overshadowed by Russia invading Ukraine, right?
Completely, but that war will put Irish football front and centre of global affairs this month. Two of Ireland’s four matches are against Ukraine in Dublin on June 8th and Lodz, Poland on June 14th. That the game, initially fixed for Lviv, is being played at all “is a miracle” according to Stephen Kenny.
How could the Ukrainians possibly be ready to play?
“We’ve faced missiles, rockets and bombs — we don’t fear Scotland,” said manager Oleksandr Petrakov in advance of tomorrow’s (June 1st) world cup semi-final play-off at Hampden Park. The winner plays Wales in Cardiff on Sunday to see who joins England, Iran and the USA in Group B this winter.
Soccer writers need a handle on the geopolitical landscape of 2022, don’t they?
“It is a tragedy,” said Kenny of Putin’s war. “In 50 years’ time, [Ukraine in Dublin] will be a significant game in Irish football history. Because Russia has invaded thousands have died and thousands more will die.”
Any football news?
Some. Kenny has gathered a decent squad despite injuries to breakthrough artists Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah as Michael Obafemi and Festy Ebosele bring raw yet potentially lethal skills to the senior ranks.
Future household names to list alongside Bazunu and Ogbene?
We’ll see. Obafemi bagged 12 goals in Swansea City’s last 16 matches while Ebosele’s electric pace for Derby County prompted Udinese to lure him to Serie A next season despite Kenny voicing concern about being able to keep tabs on the Enniscorthy teenager.
Anything else worth knowing?
The games come thick and fast. Ukraine might complete a Celtic treble four days after Cardiff with the FAI gifting 2,000 tickets to refugees forced to flee Russian artillery. In between the Ukrainian matches Scotland pop over to the Aviva on June 11th (Saturday week). All told it’s a month to make a name for yourself. Or enhance it if you’re Troy Parrott.
Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), CJ Hamilton (Blackpool), Festy Ebosele (Derby County).
